Definition According to catharsis theory, acting aggressively or even viewing aggression is an effective way to reduce angry feelings and aggressive impulses. The word catharsis comes from the Greek word katharsis, which, literally translated, means “a cleansing or purging.” The first recorded mention of catharsis occurred in Aristotle's Poetics. [Source: Encyclopedia of Social Psychology; Catharsis of Aggression]
antisocial behavior
catharsis of aggression
concepts